Australia firm after Jakarta bomb

Indonesia is linking the bomb to Islamic militants

Australian Prime Minister John Howard has said his country will not be intimidated by terrorism, after a bomb at the Australian embassy in Indonesia.

At least nine people were killed and 180 hurt by the blast, believed to be a car bomb.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer called the bomb a direct attack on his country, although those killed were all thought to be Indonesian.

Indonesian police have blamed the attack on Islamic militants.

HAVE YOUR SAY I was in a meeting and felt the whole building shake in a huge explosion John Day, Jakarta Send us your comments Eyewitness accounts

Indonesian police suspect the bomber or bombers may have died in the explosion.

Indonesia and Australian forensic experts said the explosive used was similar to those used on the city's Marriott Hotel last year and Bali nightclubs in 2002.

It bore the hallmark of militant Islamists Jemaah Islamiah (JI), widely blamed for both attacks, said Jakarta Police chief Da'i Bachtiar.

He has accused Azahari Husin, a British-trained Malaysian engineer and one of Asia's most-wanted men, of involvement. He is suspected of playing a part in building the two earlier bombs.

Elections due

Mr Downer flew to Jakarta late on Thursday with a team of forensics experts, who immediately went to help local police.

In pictures: Embassy blast Australian press reaction

"This was a cruel and a callous attack... Our officials will do everything they can to help the Indonesians hunt down the people responsible for this brutality," Mr Downer told reporters.

The attack has prompted fears that militants could be trying to target the outcome of a run-off presidential election in Indonesia on 20 September, and a general election in Australia on 9 October.

"This is not a nation that is going to be intimidated by acts of terrorism," Mr Howard said. "We are a strong, robust democracy."

INDONESIA'S WAVE OF TERROR December 2000 - Church bombings kill 19 October 2002 - Bali attacks kill 202, many Australian December 2002 - Sulawesi McDonald's kills three August 2003 - Jakarta Marriott Hotel bomb kills 12 September 2004 - Bomb outside Australian embassy in Jakarta

Terrorism and the conflict in Iraq are key issues in what is expected to be a tight race between Mr Howard - who is seeking a fourth term - and the Labor Party leader Mark Latham.

If he wins, Mr Latham has pledged to withdraw Australian troops from Iraq.

Both sides suspended campaigning in reaction to the bomb attack, and opposition foreign affairs minister Kevin Rudd also travelled to Jakarta.

Australian officials say one of those seriously injured in the blast was the five-year-old daughter of an Australian father and an Indonesian mother.

The girl had been granted Australian citizenship just days ago. His mother died in the explosion, which wrecked buildings across parts of Jakarta's business district.

The attack left a large crater. Mangled remains of vehicles littered the area, many apparently lifted into the air by the force of the blast.